Writing to the society on the 3d of April, 1746, he says: -- "That as there are great numbers of people in the wilderness northward of Bedford and Westchester, who have very little knowledge or sense of religion, Mr. Lamson's labors will be employed to good purpose among them." In 176 1 Mr. Dibble of Stamford, Conn., officiated here, where he informs us "he found no settled teacher of any denomination, but met several heads of families, professors of the Church of England, and many others well disposed towards it." Mr. St. George Talbot, who accompanied Mr. Dibble on this occasion, writing to the society, says: -- "The state of religion I truly found deplorable enough, they were as sheep without a shepherd, a prey to various sectaries, and enthusiastic lay teachers ; there are many well wish-

THE TOWN OF CORTLANDT.

II9

ers and professors of the Church among them, who doth not hear the liturgy in several years."

It appears from the following indenture that as early as 1750, Andrew Johnson, Esq., of Perth Amboy, East Jersey, the son-in-law of De Heer Stephauus Van Cortlandt, conveyed in trust to Caleb Hall, Joseph Travis and Palatiah Hawes, six acres of land to promote the erection of a Church edifice. The conveyance bears date 23d of March, 1750, and is as follows: --

DEED FOR CHURCH LOT. (extract.)

"Andrew Johnson of Perth Amboy, East Jersey, party of the first part, for the value of five pounds, conveys to Caleb Hall, Joseph Travis and Palatiah Haws, parties of the second part, a parcel of land lying at a place called Peekskill, being a part of lot No. 8, beginning at the north-east corner of the second parcel of land lately purchased by Joseph Taylor, by the north side of Crumpond road, containing six acres, &c, to have and to hold in trust for a school and burying place, and also for their executors and successors in trust, to the only proper use, benefit and behoof and exercise of the public worship of God ; and that it be for that purpose in the erecting and building of a meeting house or houses for the religious, (under the protection of our most gracious Majesty,) either the Church of England, Presbyterian, Independents, Baptists or Congregational, &c, to erect and build a house for the religious exercise of public worship of God, with a convenient yard thereto, for each or either of the above written denominations, to the n the said Caleb Hall, &c , their heirs and successors, in trust for the neighbourhood and inhabitants round about from generation to generation for ever, and for no other use, purpose or intent whatsoever.